Who Are We? What Do We Believe In? Cultivating Courage and Identity in the Face of Authoritarianism
Ultimately, we must ask ourselves,
and others will ask us, what we stand for,
and commit to each other and to the goal,
applying all skills, experience and passion
into a coherent well executed strategy.
Getting to the core of who we are
requires getting past the fear
and accepting the risk of being ourselves.
We can get past the fear by committing
to what is most meaningful to us.
If we commit, we will win often enough.
Above all when we commit to who we are,
we are less likely to lose ourselves.
#Democracy #Resilience #Courage #SocialJustice #Authoritarianism #CollectiveAction #Leadership #MentalHealth #Activism #AmericanValues
Introduction
The poem Who Are We? What Do We Believe In? is a stirring call to confront fear and reclaim identity in times of crisis. Its verses challenge us to reflect on our values, commit to collective action, and forge strategies to resist forces that threaten democracy. As the United States navigates the lingering impacts of Donald Trump’s presidency—a period marked by divisive rhetoric, erosion of institutional norms, and rising authoritarianism—the poem’s themes resonate with urgency. Drawing on psychology, social science, and historical examples, this article explores how individuals and communities can harness courage, identity, and strategic commitment to safeguard democratic ideals.
I. The Crisis of Identity: Reclaiming “Who We Are”
“Getting to the core of who we are requires getting past the fear and accepting the risk of being ourselves.”
Social Identity and Polarization
Social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979) explains how individuals derive self-worth from group affiliations, shaping behaviors and beliefs. The Trump era weaponized this dynamic, framing American identity through exclusionary narratives like “America First” and stoking divisions between “patriots” and “others” (Levitsky & Ziblatt, 2018). Such tactics, common in authoritarian regimes, fragment solidarity by portraying marginalized groups—immigrants, racial minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals—as existential threats (Altemeyer, 2006).
Reclaiming Inclusive Narratives
Resisting authoritarian co-option requires redefining identity around shared values. The Civil Rights Movement exemplifies this: activists anchored their struggle in universal principles of dignity and equality, transcending fear-based divisions (Drury & Reicher, 2009). Psychologists Cohen et al. (2006) emphasize values affirmation—reflecting on core beliefs—as a tool to counteract threat narratives. Schools and communities can adopt similar exercises to foster inclusive identities rooted in justice and empathy.
Case Study: The Power of Pluralism
Organizations like Welcome.US, which supports refugees, redefine “American identity” through stories of resilience and mutual aid. By celebrating diversity as strength, they model how inclusive narratives weaken authoritarianism’s appeal (ACLU, 2021).
II. The Psychology of Fear: From Paralysis to Empowerment
“We can get past the fear by committing to what is most meaningful to us.”
Fear as a Tool of Control
Authoritarian leaders exploit fear to consolidate power. Research shows that prolonged exposure to threats (e.g., “crisis at the border”) triggers amygdala activation, impairing rational decision-making and fostering apathy (Marcus et al., 2019). Trump’s rhetoric amplified fears of cultural displacement, creating a cycle of anxiety that eroded trust in democratic institutions (Pyszczynski et al., 2020).
Collective Efficacy: Transforming Fear into Action
Bandura’s (2000) concept of collective efficacy—the belief in a group’s ability to achieve goals—offers an antidote. Movements like Black Lives Matter (BLM) and the Women’s March channeled outrage into strategic protests, voter drives, and policy campaigns. Their success underscores how shared purpose mitigates fear (Tufekci, 2017).
Digital Resistance: The Role of Social Media
Platforms like Twitter and TikTok have democratized dissent, enabling rapid mobilization. However, scholar Zeynep Tufekci (2017) warns that digital activism must pair online engagement with offline organizing to sustain impact—a lesson from the Arab Spring’s limitations.
III. Commitment as Strategy: The Power of Persistence
“If we commit, we will win often enough. Above all, when we commit to who we are, we are less likely to lose ourselves.”
Grit and Purpose
Psychologist Angela Duckworth (2016) defines grit as perseverance toward long-term goals. For democracy advocates, this means prioritizing voting rights, press freedom, and judicial independence despite setbacks. The Parkland students’ decade-long fight for gun reform illustrates how sustained commitment drives change (Hoggard, 2023).
Historical Lessons: Solidarity Over Isolation
Hannah Arendt (1951) observed that totalitarianism thrives on atomized individuals. Conversely, communities with strong networks—unions, faith groups, mutual aid societies—resist authoritarian encroachment. During the Weimar Republic’s collapse, grassroots coalitions delayed Hitler’s rise; similarly, today’s Poor People’s Campaign unites diverse groups to combat systemic inequality (Solnit, 2020).
Modern Movements: #MeToo and Climate Activism
The #MeToo movement’s global impact reveals how personal storytelling can challenge entrenched power. Meanwhile, youth-led climate groups like Sunrise Movement pair protests with policy lobbying, embodying the poem’s call for “coherent, well-executed strategy.”
IV. Recommendations: Pathways to Courage and Renewal
Drawing from research and successful movements, here are actionable steps:
1. Anchor Identity in Values
- Practice values affirmation: Write about core principles (e.g., fairness, compassion) to reduce fear-driven thinking (Cohen et al., 2006).
- Amplify inclusive narratives: Support media and art that celebrate pluralism, like the “We Are America” initiative (ACLU, 2021).
2. Build Collective Power
- Join local organizations: Groups like Indivisible to strengthen communal bonds and efficacy.
- Leverage hybrid activism: Combine digital campaigns (e.g., hashtag movements) with door-to-door outreach (Tufekci, 2017).
3. Adopt Strategic Nonviolence
- Study proven tactics: The Civil Rights Movement’s boycotts and the Standing Rock protests show how disciplined nonviolence disrupts oppression (Chenoweth & Stephan, 2011).
- Protect institutions: Partner with courts, journalists, and election officials to uphold accountability (Levitsky & Ziblatt, 2018).
4. Sustain Mental Resilience
- Combat burnout: Mindfulness practices and peer support groups help activists endure long-term struggles (APA, 2020).
- Celebrate incremental wins: Recognizing progress, like voter registration milestones, sustains morale (Drury & Reicher, 2009).
Conclusion: Choosing Courage in the Face of Tyranny
The poem Who Are We? What Do We Believe In? urges us to confront fear with purpose. As Viktor Frankl (1946) wrote in Man’s Search for Meaning, even in oppression, we retain the freedom to choose our response. By committing to inclusive identities, collective action, and strategic resilience, we reclaim not only democracy but our shared humanity. The road ahead demands courage—but as the poem reminds us, commitment ensures we “win often enough” to prevail.
References
- Altemeyer, B. (2006). The Authoritarians. https://theauthoritarians.org
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). (2021). Reimagining Patriotism. https://www.aclu.org
- American Psychological Association (APA). (2020). Building Resilience in Times of Crisis.
- Arendt, H. (1951). The Origins of Totalitarianism. Schocken Books.
- Bandura, A. (2000). Exercise of human agency through collective efficacy. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 9(3), 75–78.
- Chenoweth, E., & Stephan, M. J. (2011). Why Civil Resistance Works. Columbia University Press.
- Cohen, G. L., et al. (2006). Reducing the racial achievement gap. Science, 313(5791), 1307–1310.
- Duckworth, A. (2016). Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance. Scribner.
- Drury, J., & Reicher, S. (2009). Collective psychological empowerment. Research in Social Movements, Conflicts and Change, 29, 173–199.
- Frankl, V. E. (1946). Man’s Search for Meaning. Beacon Press.
- Levitsky, S., & Ziblatt, D. (2018). How Democracies Die. Crown.
- Marcus, G. E., et al. (2019). Fear and anxiety in political psychology. Political Psychology, 40(S1), 85–106.
- Pyszczynski, T., et al. (2020). Fear and authoritarianism in the 2016 U.S. election. Journal of Social and Political Psychology, 8(1), 1–23.
- Solnit, R. (2020). Whose Story Is This? Haymarket Books.
- Tajfel, H., & Turner, J. C. (1979). Social identity theory. In Psychology of Intergroup Relations. Nelson-Hall.
- Tufekci, Z. (2017). Twitter and Tear Gas: The Power and Fragility of Networked Protest. Yale University Press.